Karnataka HC lifts ban on online gaming; strikes down portion of K’taka Police Act

Bengaluru: Online gaming portals such as Dream 11 will now be able to operate in the state, without government interference as the Karnataka High Court struck down provisions of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act 2021, that banned online games in the state.

On Monday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Krishna S Dixit declared that the parts of the provisions were ultra vires to the Indian Constitution. “In the above circumstances, these writ petitions succeed. The Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act 2021 to the extent provisions we have said, not the entire act is struck down is declared to be ultra vires to the constitution and struck down,” Live Law reported the bench as saying.

The court also issued a writ of mandamus restraining the government from interfering with the online gaming business and allied activities under the present provisions.

The amended Act provided for a maximum imprisonment of three years and a penalty of up to Rs. 1 lakh for violation of the provisions.

Similar legislation brought by the Kerala and Tamil Nadu state governments were also struck down by the Kerala High Court and Madras High Court respectively.